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John Deere LX178 Troubleshooting
The
John Deere LX178 is a LX100 series lawn tractor. This model manufactured from
1991 to 1998. The John Deere LX178 powerline components: Kawasaki FD440V
4-Stroke OHV V-Twin cylinder air-cooled gasoline engine and Tuff Torq K61
belt-driven hydrostatic transmission with infinite forward and reverse gears.
A 26.7 cubic inches (437 cc) engine has a cylinder bore of 2.64" (67
mm), piston stroke of 2.44" (62 mm), and rated power of 15 hp (11.2 kW).
The maximum travel speed (forward and reverse): 5.5 mph (8.8 km/h) / 2.5
mph (4 km/h). The tractor is equipped with a manual steering system,
mechanical band brakes, 15x6.00-6 front tires, and 20x10.00-8 rear
tires. The wheelbase is 46.7" (1180 mm).
The John Deere LX178 is compatible with the following attachments: a 38"
mid-mount 2-blade right-discharge mower deck with cutting height of
1.5-4.0 in (38-102 mm) and manual lift system, 44" mid-mount 3-blade
rear-discharge mower deck with cutting height of 1.0-4.0 in (25-102 mm)
and mechanical lift system, 38", 42" front-mount single-stage
snowblower, and 42" front-mount blade with lift height of 5 in (125 mm).
| Engine Troubleshooting |
| Engine hard to start or won't start |
| No gasoline in tank - Add gasoline |
| Wrong fuel grade - Use correct gasoline grade |
| Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines |
| Damaged spark plug wiring connection - Inspect the spark plug wire connection, replace or repair |
| Defective spark plug - Change spark plug |
| Fuel filter is plugged - Fuel filter needs to be replaced |
| Safety contact for brake pedal defective - Install new part |
| Carburetor is clogged - Clean the carburetor |
| Engine has bad compression - Check cylinder block and change wear parts |
| Damaged or incorrectly adjusted choke cable - Replace cable or adjust properly |
| Air intake screen is blocked - Wash or clean as required |
| Ignition system malfunction - Check ignition and replace faulty components |
| Choke cable is defective or stuck - Change or clean the cable |
| Clogged air filter - Change or service air filter |
| Dirty or faulty fuel pump - Clean or replace fuel pump |
| Engine starts but stalls suddenly |
| Spark plug is defective - Change spark plug |
| Clogged or faulty carburetor - Service or repair carburetor |
| Ignition coil is damaged - Install a new ignition coil |
| Valve springs are broken or bad - Install new valve springs |
| Valves sticking - Clean the valves |
| Engine oil level is low - Fill up the engine oil |
| Engine is overloaded - Reduce load |
| Air intake screen is blocked - Wash or clean as required |
| Too lean carburetor mixture - Adjust carburetor properly |
| Improper ignition timing - Set the ignition timing properly |
| Valve setting is improper - Set the valves correctly |
| Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise |
| Low octane gasoline - Use proper fuel |
| Engine is running overloaded - Reduce engine load |
| Not enough engine oil - Check and refill engine oil |
| Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjustment required |
| Dirty or faulty fuel pump - Clean or replace fuel pump |
| Crankshaft or main bearings failure - Change defective components as required |
| Valve clearance is improper - Adjustment procedure required |
| Damaged cylinder bore or piston rings - Change defective parts |
| Incorrectly adjusted or dirty carburetor - Service or properly adjust carburetor |
| Air filter element is plugged - Replace or service air filter |
| Clogged or defective fuel pump - Service or replace fuel pump |
| Ignition failure - Inspect ignition system and change failed components |
| Defective cylinder head gasket - Install new cylinder head gasket |
| Burned or stuck valves - Replace or service valves |
| Push rod is worn or damaged - Install a new push rod |
| Cylinder block components are faulty - Replace defective parts as required |
| Throttle opening is not full - Adjust or change throttle cable |
| Improper carburetor main jet adjustment - Adjust the carburetor main jet correctly |
| Defective or loose spark plug - Re-tighten or change the spark plug |
| Valves are stuck, worn, or burned - Change or clean valves |
| Worn rings, piston, or sleeve - Replace faulty components as required |
| Excessive valve clearance - Adjustment procedure required |
| Engine consuming too much oil |
| Damaged seals or gaskets - Replace worn parts to avoid leaks |
| Valve stems or guides are damaged - Valves replacement required |
| Worn or broken piston rings - Replace piston rings |
| Cylinder liner or piston is scuffed - Check liner and piston, replace as required |
| Blocked breather hose or pipe - Clean or change |
| Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting |
| HST transmission noise |
| Speed control linkage is defective or unadjusted - Change or adjust linkage |
| Transmission is under excessive load - Reduce transmission load |
| Dirty transmission fluid or insufficient fluid level - Top up to proper level or change transmission fluid |
| Transmission components are damaged or worn - Check internal transmission parts and replace if required |
| Loose or broken shift linkage - Change defective linkage |
| Hydrostatic pump is seized or faulty - Change or repair pump |
| Transmission shift control components are defective or misadjusted - Adjust correctly or replace |
| Transmission oil insufficient - Fill the transmission housing with oil |
| Drive pulley is defective or worn - Replace pulley |
| Damaged or misadjusted shifter linkage - Change or adjust linkage |
| Worn or unadjusted speed control linkage - Repair or adjust linkage |
| Transmission gaskets or seals are damaged - Replace seals or gaskets |
| Final drive shaft leaks - Shaft seals need to be changed |
| Cracked transmission housing - Housing needs to be replaced |
| Mower Deck Troubleshooting |
| Mower vibrates excessively |
| Drive sheave of mower deck is dirty or worn - Replace or clean sheave |
| Damaged or loose drive belt - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt |
| Unbalanced or warped mower blades - Change or balance blades |
| Loose blade bolts tightening - Bolts should be tightened |
| Discharge chute is regularly plugged |
| Mowing speed is too high - Need to slow down |
| Grass is too long - Use a lower cutting height |
| Reduced engine rpm - Adjust carburetor to higher rpm |
| Cutting level is too low - Adjust mower to higher cutting height |
| Improper drive belt installation - Install drive belt correctly |
| Discharge chute is plugged - Check cutting deck and clean as necessary |
| Blades are too dull - Need a blade sharpening |
| Worn or damaged blades - Blades must be changed |
| Mowing speed is too high - Select a slower speed |
| Cutting level is too low - Adjust mower to higher cutting height |
| Full grass bag - Grass bag must be empty |
| Lawn is uneven or bumpy - Lawn leveling required |
| Mower deck set to low cutting - Adjust mower to higher cutting height |
| Fast ground speed - Operate at slower speed |
| Deck level is not correct - Adjust the level of mower deck correctly |
| Damaged or bent blades - Blades need to be replaced |
| Incorrect tire pressure - Correct tire pressure |
| Tires are not properly inflated - Inflate tires as required |
| Improper mower deck level - Adjust mower deck level properly |
| Blades are too dull - Blades need to be sharpened |
| Bent or worn blades - Change the blades |
| Mower deck is clogged - Mower deck needs to be cleaned |
| Broken mower deck housing - Rebuild or change mower deck |
| Mower spindle is faulty or loose - Install new spindle or repair it |
| Electrical Troubleshooting |
| Battery does not charge |
| Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Clean or tighten connections |
| Battery terminal connectors are faulty - Replace terminal connectors |
| Battery bad cell - Battery replacement required |
| Battery capacity is low - Battery is drained, recharge it |
| Battery is not holding charge - Battery needs service or replacement |
| Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals |
| Battery is discharged or defective - Charge or replace the battery |
| Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Check wiring and connect properly |
| Battery capacity is low - Battery is drained, charge it |
| Faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plug - Replace or clean and gap |
| Starter motor or solenoid is damaged - Starter/solenoid should be replaced |
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| Lawn and Garden Tractors Technical Specs |
